Miler sits on the beach staring out at the sea. Sam sits beside him cautiously, looking over at him every so often. The pair sit in silence with Miler racked with worry. Days have passed since Glyn’s last message and outside of the status of their Pieces there has been no contact.

  “Hey, Boss!” Fiona yells out, approaching the pair.

  “Fiona!” Sam yells.

  “Hey, Sam. I need Boss.”

  “Miler is busy.”

  “Busy sitting around. I get he’s worried about Milla. Hell, I’m worried about her. But sitting around like this is pointless.” She says.

  Miler turns. “I’m not just worried about Milla.”

  “Oh?”

  “Glyn’s by himself, and he can’t fight. Xia Bai took off. And we know we’re dealing with the worst monsters imaginable.” Miler sighs. “I’m trying to think to sort this all out so we can avoid the worst-case scenario.”

  Fiona nods. “I get that. That’s why we left you alone all this time, so you could think or whatever.”

  “So why are you disturbing us?!” Sam yells out.

  “Calm down Sam, jeez. Are you a girl right now or a guy?”

  “Why?” Sam asks.

  “Cause if you’re in your guy mode, then I’m gonna punch you. Girl mode and I won’t.” She says with a smirk.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Sam sighs. “Well, right now I’m…. it doesn’t matter, just treat me the same as always.”

  “Fine.” Fiona rolls back her fist as Sam prepares for the hit.

  She throws a punch but stops midway and flicks Sam’s forehead. “What?”

  “You need to calm down, too. You’re only focusing on Miler. You’re our boss too, you know. With Glyn gone, we can’t have all of our bosses acting like idiots.”

  “That’s a fair point.”

  “So did you come just to berate us?” Miler asks.

  “Nope. Some weirdo showed up and is waiting on the ship with The Captain.” She says.

  “A weirdo?”

  Fiona leads Miler and Sam to the boat where everyone is gathered. There in the middle of the ships, a figure in a black cloak stands. Their body enveloped by their cloak, the being barely looks Human as Miler approaches. The figure turns to him as it then takes stock of everyone else aboard the vessel.

  “With you two, that accounts for all of Contest Mattox’s Pieces aside from two.”

  “Two?” Miler asks.

  He nods. “The battle is on hold. A more disastrous threat has been discovered.” He bows. “Unfortunately, due to our negligence, we’ve brought a Demon to these islands. I apologize.”

  “You guys have a lot more to apologize for!” Faye yells out.

  Rufus tries to stop her as the cloaked being ignores her.

  Miler nods. “So, what’s this about?”

  “The contest is on hold until this threat is taken care of. Unfortunately, by the time the royal army can make it out for the battle, it will have taken a foothold on an island somewhere. So, to prevent that, the contestants and their Pieces are being made to mobilize.”

  “We’re going to fight more of those things?” Tan asks, shaking.

  Zanrit works to calm her down as Tisha steps forward next to Miler. “Where is Glyn?”

  “At this time, his location is unknown. His last reported location was inside of a fortress, co-opted by Morgan. But considering you are all still in action, he must still be alive.”

  Miler nods. “Okay, when do we leave?”

  “Now. The vessel is headed south. It’s attacking any island that comes within firing distance. This will be an all-out assault. Are you prepared?”

  “As ready as we’ll ever be.”

  “Then let’s move! Prepare yourselves one and all. What you embark on now is not simply a battle. You are embarking on a Demonic Crusade!”

  “It’s time,” Miler says.

  Sam grabs his hand. “We can do this.”

  Miler nods. “Yes. It’s time for us to fight back!”